Three of us Irish girls travelled here. We walked around all day Saturday and explored this enchanting, medieval town. There are signs of its ancient past all around the old town and this is especially true when one sees its Hotel de Ville (or mayor's office). It appears as more of a medieval castle inside than the usual large house one is accustomed to when visiting a French town.
We also took the boat to Fort Boyard, a fortress built in the water a few miles from La Rochelle. The sun was shining and we got some great views of both La Rochelle and the surrounding coastline.
Fort Boyard is a very impressive structure and a nice relaxing tour on the water where you can pass by windsurfers, sailboats and trawlers. It is also fascinating to imagine how the structure was built so far from land.
The three towers in La Rochelle are also a nice attraction. We decided to venture to the lantern tower where you can see the graffiti of pirates and sailboat captains among others. If you are a European citizen between 17 and 25 and you present your passport you will gain free admission. The boat to Fort Boyard costs 14 euro.
Things to note: Restaurants by the waterfront can be very expensive. There is a nice Irish run pub called Fitzpatricks on the pier and is a nice spot for a drink and for football and rugby matches. There are also some lovely boutiques and branded stores on the streets of the old town. Overall it is a beautiful town especially on a sunny day. Some beaches are a few kilometres nearby but the town is a great spot for a weekend of sightseeing and shopping.
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